BOULDER — The University of Colorado Boulder spent $60,433 to close the Boulder campus on April 20 to curtail an annual marijuana celebration that has drawn thousands of participants in years past.

CU spokesman Ryan Huff tells The Daily Camera the university spent less this year by shortening the amount of time the campus was closed to outsiders and by hiring fewer police officers. The figure is down more than 40 percent from what officials spent last year.

Students, faculty and staff were required to show CU identification before being allowed on campus. Other guests were required to get a visitor’s pass to enter.

Huff says funds used to suppress the annual 4/20 gathering came from insurance premium rebates resulting from reductions in liability and hazard claims.